Northern Ireland: Racism

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have a policy for Northern Ireland departments to discourage racism; if so, what is that policy; how does such a policy operate; and whether it extends to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Baroness Amos: The Government have made it clear that there is no place for racism in society. Their anti-racism policy is given effect through legislation including the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 as amended by the Race Relations Order (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
	The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister is developing race equality and good relations strategies for Northern Ireland. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has been closely involved in the development of these strategies and will contribute to their implementation.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 6 May (WA 125) concerning the 2004 budgets for Cross Border bodies, whether in purchasing terms the Irish Agency received a higher increase than the Ulster-Scots Agency.

Baroness Amos: It is unclear what the noble Lord means by "purchasing terms". The budget for the Ulster-Scots Agency for 2004 increased by £164,000, a 10.65 per cent increase on 2003. The budget for the Irish Language Agency for 2004 increased by 824,000 euros, a 4.61 per cent increase on 2003.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 6 May (WA 125) what impact the decision not to allow expenditure of £600,000 by the Ulster-Scots Agency on community events during the marching season will have on the recommendation that community leaders should "actively engage in efforts to achieve as peaceful a marching season in 2004 as that experienced in 2003".

Baroness Amos: Under the care and maintenance arrangements of north/south bodies during suspension of the Assembly the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency was increased by 10.65 per cent to £1,704,000 for 2004. It is up to the agency to prioritise its spending within their budget while recognising that spending must be within the approved budget and associated business plan.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure removed the funding from the Ulster-Scots Agency's requested budget for 2004, when a proportion of it was specifically aimed at resolving the annual dispute at Drumcree.

Baroness Amos: The approved budget for 2004 was calculated based on approved actions in the agency's business plan in line with care and maintenance.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which political parties will be officially consulted about the appointment of the chairman of the Ulster Scots Agency.

Baroness Amos: Some parties have already conveyed views to the Government about the appointment of the chairperson of the Ulster-Scots Agency. There will be further consultation with parties before a final decision is taken.

Ulster-Scots Culture

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	From 2003 to date, whether officials of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure have attended events illustrating Ulster-Scots culture, language, history and identity; and which events they attended.

Baroness Amos: DCAL officials attended the following functions in an official capacity.
	
		
			 Date Function Attended 
			 20 February 2003 Symposium on Language and Law in Northern Ireland Dinner 
			 5 April 2003 Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Reception 
			 5 July 2003 Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Function 
			 11 August 2003 "A blad o' Ulster-Scots" Book Launch in Linenhall Library 
			 22 September 2003 Understanding Identity evening hosted by Ulster-Scots Heritage Council 
			 October 2003 Irish Studies Mid-Atlantic Conference—University of Maryland 
			 9 October 2003 Jim Fenton reading at the Linenhall Library 
			 18–19 October 2003 Language and Politics Symposium at Queen's University, Belfast 
			 6 November 2003 Launch of "On Eagles Wing" 
			 8 April 2004 Ulster-Scots Showcase, Stormont 
			 15 May 2004 Rehearsals and Reception of "On Eagles Wing" 
			 28 May 2004 World Premier—On Eagles Wing, Odyssey

Northern Ireland: Funding of Newspaper Publishing Companies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any newspaper publishing companies have been granted aid in Belfast in the past five years; if so, which companies; when such aid was granted; and for what reason.

Baroness Amos: Set out below are details of the funding made available by departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.
	
		
			 Company Year(s) Funded Purpose of Funding 
			 Andersonstown News 1999, 2000 and 2001 Funding of Community Newspaper 
			  
			 East Belfast Publishing Ltd 2003 Funding of Community Newspaper 
			  
			 Flagship Media Group Ltd 2000 and 2001 Funding of Publishing Company 
			  
			 Preas an Phobail Ltd 1999, 2000 and 2001 Funding of Irish Language Newspaper 
			  
			 Shankill Community Media Ltd 2002, 2003 and 2004 Funding of Community Newspaper 
			  
			 The Mirror Group 2000 Funding for Disabled Employee 
		
	
	In addition, the following funding has been made available by Foras na Gaeilge (the Irish Language Agency of the North/South Language Body).
	
		
			 Company Year(s) Funded Purpose of Funding 
			 Preas an Phobail Ltd 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 Funding of Irish Language Newspaper

Cross-Border Implementation Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Since October 2002 whether any discussions concerning cross-border implementation bodies have been referred to political advisers; if so, to whom; and for what reason.

Baroness Amos: Under paragraph 2, Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (internal discussion and advice), such information is exempt from disclosure.

Northern Ireland: Electoral Office

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the terms of reference for the current Electoral Office inquiry in Northern Ireland; who is conducting that inquiry; by whom the appointment was made; who determined the terms of reference; and what has been the cost to date and to which department.

Baroness Amos: The Chief Electoral Officer is normally responsible for matters of conduct and discipline in the Electoral Office. I understand that following allegations made by the noble Lord concerning the conduct of past and present staff in the Electoral Office, he asked Brian Blackwell, a former senior civil servant in the Northern Ireland Office with experience in disciplinary matters, to conduct an independent investigation to determine whether any Electoral Office staff had been engaged in misconduct. The chief electoral officer has yet to receive the report. The cost of the report to date is £5,757, which is being met from Electoral Office funds. At the same time the chief electoral officer decided to show the material to the PSNI. The PSNI decided that it would take no further action.

Official Languages Act: Government Meetings

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there have been any meetings between their officials and those of the Eire Government on issues relating to the Official Languages Act 2003; and, if so, when, where and with whom the meetings took place, and whether they will place the minutes of the meetings in the Library of the House.

Baroness Amos: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 6 May 2004 (WA 126).
	The meeting on 19 March 2004 took place in Armagh and comprised officials from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Finance and Personnel, the Department of Finance, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the NSMC Joint Secretariat.
	Under paragraphs 1 (defence, security and international relations) and 2 (internal discussion and advice) of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it would not be appropriate to disclose the minutes of this meeting.

North/South Language Implementation Body

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the written Answer by the Lord President on 25 May (WA 117), what operational arrangements have been made for the decision-making process relating to the budget and business cases for the Language Implementation Body.

Baroness Amos: The operational arrangements referred to in (WA 117) are the consultation and liaison procedures via which business plans and annual budgets are considered and agreed between the sponsor departments and the constituent agencies of the North/South Language Implementation Body.

House of Lords: Moses Room Grand Committee Sitting, 15 June

Earl Attlee: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Whether the temperature and air quality in the Moses Room during the Grand Committee on the Employment Relations Bill at 6 p.m. on 15 June complied with the requirements of Health and Safety at Work legislation.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: Health and Safety regulations do not specify the maximum acceptable temperature for an office, although the Health and Safety Executive does give guidance that, "An acceptable zone of thermal comfort for most people in the UK lies roughly between 13°C (56°F) and 30°C (86°F)". While I understand that this indicative maximum temperature was not exceeded in the Grand Committee on 15 June, I regret that overall conditions deteriorated to the extent that it was found to be necessary to adjourn the Committee.
	The reason for the deterioration in conditions was a mechanical fault which caused the air-conditioning equipment to shut down. Unfortunately, due to the age and design of the equipment, when an event such as this occurs there are no automatic visual or audible warnings. In this particular instance, once staff were informed of the conditions in the Moses Room at about 5 p.m., the fault was immediately rectified. However, as the temperature in the room had already risen considerably, it took some time to restore the room to a normal temperature.
	It seems that the fault was probably caused by a build-up of dust on the cooling coils arising from stone cleaning activity in the vicinity. Action has now been taken to have the cooling coils cleaned, and staff are actively monitoring the temperature in the Moses Room to avoid a repetition of this unfortunate occurrence.

UK Military Commitments

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the present United Kingdom military commitment in Kosovo, in terms of numbers, units and roles; whether any future changes in this commitment have taken place over the past two years and whether they are contemplating any future changes in the commitment.

Lord Bach: The United Kingdom has around 200 troops committed to KFOR, including headquarters staff officers in HQ KFOR and an infantry company (currently from the 1st Battalion, the King's Regiment). The UK also provides a battalion to the Balkans-dedicated Operational Reserve Force (ORF); this deployed to Kosovo during the outbreak of violence in mid-March 2004, returning to the UK on 18 April.
	British Forces are deployed in Kosovo under NATO command to provide a safe and secure environment, and to assist the international community in creating conditions which will support eventual self-sustaining security in the region.
	Over the past two years the UK standing military presence in Kosovo has reduced from approximately 1,200 personnel. The UK commitment to KFOR is subject to regular review, including in the context of NATO's biannual periodic mission review process.

UK Military Commitments

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the present United Kingdom military commitment in Sierra Leone, in terms of numbers, units and roles; whether any future changes in this commitment have taken place over the past two years; and whether they are contemplating any future changes in the commitment.

Lord Bach: The United Kingdom has 22 military personnel committed to the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, and 92 military personnel deployed to the UK-led International Military Advisory Training Team (IMATT). At IMATT's formation in 2002 the total UK military commitment was 360.
	IMATT continues to provide strategic guidance to the Government of Sierra Leone on defence and security issues, and assists in the development of the Republic of Sierra Leone armed forces into a self-sustaining, accountable force.
	The future UK commitment to the UN mission will be determined by the UN plan for gradual drawdown; final withdrawal is expected by the end of 2005. Our commitment to IMATT is longer term, but reviewed annually. It forms part of the UK's wider contribution to the reconstruction activities of Sierra Leone, where MoD, DfID and the FCO work closely together to support the Government of Sierra Leone in ensuring lasting and sustainable peace for the people of the country.

UK Military Commitments

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the present United Kingdom military commitment in Afghanistan, in terms of numbers, units and roles; whether any future changes in this commitment have taken place over the past two years; and whether they are contemplating any future changes in the commitment.

Lord Bach: The United Kingdom currently has around 580 military personnel from all three services serving in Afghanistan, with the largest single contingent drawn from the 1st Battalion, the Green Howards. Their numbers and roles are:
	
		Table 1: United Kingdom Military Deployments in Afghanistan on 11 June 2004
		
			 Role and Location Number 
			 International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Kabul 400 
			 Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), Mazar-e   Sharif and Meymaneh 165 
			 Coalition Headquarters, Kabul and Bagram 15 
			 Total 580 
		
	
	On 11 June 2002 the United Kingdom had around 2,770 troops deployed in Afghanistan, again from all three services, and with the largest contingents drawn from 45 Commando, Royal Marines and the 1st Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment. Their numbers and roles were:
	
		Table 2: United Kingdom Military Deployments in Afghanistan on 11 June 2002
		
			 Role and Location Number 
			 International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Kabul 1,300 
			 Task Force JACANA, Bagram 1,440 
			 Airfield Security, Bagram 65 
			 Coalition Headquarters, Bagram 5 
			 Total 2,810 
		
	
	The principal changes over the past two years stem from the transfer of the United Kingdom's status as lead nation for the ISAF to Turkey on 20 June 2002, the withdrawal of Task Force JACANA following the completion of its operations on 10 July 2002 and the deployment in July 2003 of the PRT to Mazar-e Sharif.
	I informed the House on 1 April 2004 (Official Report, cols. WS 70–71) of our intention to play a leading role in ISAF's expansion in northern Afghanistan. We shall lead a second multinational PRT in Meymaneh and help to provide support facilities for PRTs across the North of Afghanistan. We are currently in the process of establishing these capabilities. We keep all our commitments under regular review but I do not anticipate our current force levels changing significantly.

Northern Ireland Judiciary

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland is required to nominate to the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission judicial members who reflect the community there; and
	Whether the General Council of the Bar and the Law Society in Northern Ireland are required to nominate to the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission legal professional members who reflect the community there.

Lord Filkin: Section 3(8) of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002, as amended, places a statutory duty on those responsible for making nominations to the Judicial Appointments Commission (the Lord Chief Justice, the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland and the Law Society of Northern Ireland) to make such arrangements that will, so far as is practicable, secure that the membership of the commission is reflective of the community in Northern Ireland.

Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a senior judiciary "reflective of the community in Northern Ireland" in accordance with the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004 will be appointed on the basis of merit.

Lord Filkin: Section 5 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002, as amended, provides that the selection of persons to be appointed, or recommended for appointment, to a judicial office listed in Schedule 1 to that Act (ie judicial offices up to and including High Court Judge) must be made solely on the basis of merit.

Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004 will lead to an increase, or a diminution, in the involvement of the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor in the affairs of Northern Ireland.

Lord Filkin: The enactment of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004 will not have any material impact on the Lord Chancellor's ministerial responsibilities in Northern Ireland.
	The Act will allow the Lord Chancellor to establish a Judicial Appointments Commission which will select persons for appointment to judicial office up to (and including) High Court judge level. The Lord Chancellor will remain responsible for making, or recommending to Her Majesty the making of, judicial appointments.
	The 2004 Act also confers on the Lord Chancellor certain additional powers in relation to court security.

Taxation: Publication of Information

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 25 May (WA 125) regarding taxation, whether they will publish this information in the Official Report.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My earlier Answer explained precisely where the information concerned could be found on the Inland Revenue website. The practice of referring to departmental websites has been followed by successive administrations, as the then Minister of State at the Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton) confirmed in the House on 12 February 2001 (Offical Report, col. 7).
	The information sought by Lord Marlesford is reproduced in the accompanying table.
	
		Direct effects of illustrative tax changes(1) -- Amounts: £ million
		
			  Cost/yield 2004–05 (full year) 2005–06(2) (full year) 2004–05 (NABs) 2005–06(2) (NABs) 
			 Income tax(3) 
			  
			 Rates 
			  
			 Change starting rate by 1p(4) 560 590 490 610 
			 Change lower rate on savings income by 1p(5) 80 100 60 90 
			 Change basic rate by 1p(6) 3,300 3,450 2,900 3,600 
			 Change basic rate in Scotland by 1p(6) 270 280 240 290 
			 Change higher rate by 1p 1,090 1,190 800 1,270 
			 Change higher rate for dividends by 1p 120 125 – 150 
			  
			 Allowances 
			  
			 Change personal allowance by £100 610 640 520 660 
			 Change age-related personal allowances by £100(7) 65 70 60 70 
			 Change age-related married couple's allowances by £100(8) 5 5 5 5 
			 Change aged income limit by £500 25 25 15 25 
			 Change all pesonal allowances by 1 per cent 320 340 280 360 
			 Change all personal allowances by 10 per cent 3,200 3,350 2,750 3,500 
			  
			 Limits 
			  
			 Change starting rate limit by £100 310 330 270 340 
			 Change basic rate limit by 1 per cent 190 210 140 220 
			 Change basic rate limit by 10 per cent 
			 Increase (cost) 1,750 1,900 1,300 2,000 
			 Decrease (yield) 2,150 2,300 1,650 2,450 
			  
			 Allowances, starting and basic rate limits (BRL) 
			  
			 Change all main allowances, starting rate limit and BRL by 1 per cent 590 620 490 650 
			 Change all main allowances, starting rate limit and BRL by 10 per cent 
			 Increase (cost) 5,600 5,900 4,600 6,200 
			 Decrease (yield) 6,300 6,600 5,200 7,000 
			  
			 Working tax credit 
			  
			 Change basic element by £100 240 240 240 240 
			 Change 30 hour element by £100 170 170 170 170 
			 Change additional element for couples and lone parents by £100 230 230 230 230 
			  
			 Child tax credit 
			  
			 Change family element by £100(9) 570 560 570 560 
			 Change child element by £100(10) 720 730 720 730 
			  
			 Common features 
			  
			 Change first income threshold by £100(11) 70 70 70 70 
			 Change second income threshold by £1,000 20 20 20 20 
			  
			 Corporation tax 
			  
			 Raise starting rate by 1 percentage point(12) 15 15 – 10 
			 Change small companies' rate by 1 percentage point(12) 200 210 – 170 
			 Change main rate by 1 percentage point(13) 1,050 1,050 650 750 
			 Capital gains tax 
			  
			 Increase annual exempt amount by £500 for individuals and £250 for trustees 15 15 – 15 
			  
			 Inheritance tax 
			  
			 Change rate by 1 percentage point 80 80 35 70 
			 Increase threshold by £5,000 70 70 30 60 
			  
			 Stamp duty land tax 
			  
			 Change 1 per cent rate by 1 percentage point(14) 1,200 1,230 1,100 1,230 
			 Change 4 per cent rate by 1 percentage point(14) 680 770 620 770 
			 Change rate on leases by 1 percentage point(14) 190 210 170 210 
			 Increase £250,000 threshold by £5,000(14) 40 60 30 60 
			  
			 National Insurance Contributions 
			  
			 Rates: 
			 Change Class 1 employee main rate by 1 percentage point(15) 3,200 3,350 3,200 3,350 
			 Change Class 1 employee additional rate by 1 percentage point(16) 680 740 680 740 
			 Change Class 1 employer rate by 1 percentage point 4,050 4,300 4,050 4,300 
			 Change Class 2 rate by £1 per week(17) 150 155 150 155 
			 Change Class 4 main rate by 1 percentage point(18),(19) 315 330 315 330 
			 Change Class 4 additional rate by 1 percentage point(18),(20) 170 180 170 180 
			  
			 Limits: 
			 Change employee entry threshold by £2 per week 240 250 240 250 
			 Change employer threshold by £2 per week 285 300 285 300 
			 Change lower profits limit by £104 per year (£2 per week) 20 20 20 20 
			 Change upper profits limit by £520 per year (£10 per week) 15 20 15 20 
			 Change upper earnings limit by £10 per week 130 135 130 135 
		
	
	(1) The estimates are rounded and, unless otherwise shown, the figures apply to both increases and decreases. The extent of rounding reflects the desire to avoid undue compounding of its effects when numbers are pro-rated, rather than the accuracy of the estimates. Changes are assumed to take effect from April 2004.
	(2) Assuming the changes in 2004–05 are carried through to 2005–06.
	(3) The figure for income tax changes include consequential effects on the yield of capital gains tax.
	(4) Including savings income taxable at the starting rate, but excluding dividend income.
	(5) Covering savings income (but not in the starting rate), and excluding dividends. This includes the consequential effects on the liability of higher-rate taxpayers. The lower rate of tax savings applies to income between the starting rate limit and the basic rate limit.
	(6) Excluding savings income taxed at the lower or starting rates or dividends.
	(7) Allowances for those aged 65–74 and aged 75 and over.
	(8) Allowances for those born before 6 April 1935.
	(9) Excluding family element, baby addition.
	(10) Includes increasing child elements for those receiving Income Support and income-base Jobseekers' Allowance in 2004–05. By 2005–06 these families will have migrated on to the Child Tax Credit.
	(11) Includes increases to both the first income threshold and the first threshold for those entitled to Child Tax Credit only.
	(12) Estimates take into account the effect of the non-corporate distributions rate of corporation tax, which reduces the amount of taxable profit that is affected by a change to the starting and small companies' rates.
	(13) Estimates assume rate changes apply to profits from 1 April 2004.
	(14) Estimates include both residential and commercial transactions.
	(15) Rate charged between the entry threshold and the upper earnings limit.
	(16) Rate charged above the upper earnings limit.
	(17) Flat rate contributions payable by the self-employed with earnings above the small earnings exception rate.
	(18) Profit related contributions payable by the self-employed.
	(19) Rate charged the lower and upper profits limits.
	(20) Rate charged above the upper profits limits.
	Notes:
	1. Table T1.6 is a "ready reckoner" showing the estimated effects of various illustrative tax changes on tax receipts in 2004–05 and 2005–06. The tax changes are assumed to take effect from April 2004. The estimates depend on forecasts of economic variables such as prices, earnings and interest rates. They are consistent with the March 2004 Budget. The estimates only cover the direct effects of tax changes on tax receipts. In practice changes to the tax regime will affect economic variables which in turn would have further effects on tax receipts.
	2. The figures are shown on a full year accrual basis and a national accounts basis (NAB). The national accounts basis aims to recognise tax as the tax liability accrues, irrespective of when the tax is received by the Exchequer. However, some taxes are scored on a receipts basis, principally reflecting the difficulty in assessing the period to which the tax liability relates. Examples of such taxes are corporation tax, self-assessment income tax, inheritance tax and capital gains tax. This approach is consistent with other Government publications.
	3. The table is designed to be used as a ready reckoner. The effects of the changes can be scaled up or down over a reasonably wide range. Thus a reduction of 2p in a tax rate will cost roughly twice as much as a reduction of 1p. However, the extra cost of increasing an income tax allowance or rate limit by more than the amount shown falls as the allowance or rate limit rises. Therefore estimates are given for different percentage changes, and for reductions as well as increases, for the main income tax allowances and limits.
	4. The total cost or yield of a group of changes can be broadly assessed by adding together the estimated revenue effects of each change. However, if income tax allowances are increased substantially then the cost of a subsequent cut in tax rates will be reduced. In such cases the revenue effects of combining components from the ready reckoner can only be taken as a rough guide.

Inland Revenue: Corruption and Fraud Cases Involving Staff

Lord Christopher: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Inland Revenue staff have been (a) prosecuted, and (b) otherwise disciplined for corruption, fraud or misconduct of a similar nature in each of the past 10 years, analysed by grade and division of revenue concerned.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The number of staff prosecuted for fraud, corruption and similar offences is set out in the table below:
	:TITLE3:Corruption and Fraud Cases with Prosecution Outcome 1995–96—2003–04
	
		
			 Business Stream Corruption and Fraud Cases 
			 Revenue Policy 3 
			 IR Southern England 5 
			 IR London 8 
			 IR Central England 5 
			 IR Northern England 11 
			 IR Scotland 8 
			 IR Northern Ireland 1 
			 IR Learning 3 
			 Valuation Office 4 
			 Receivables (RMS) 1 
			  49 
		
	
	
		2. Pay Band
		
			 Pay Band Corruption and Fraud Cases 
			 E2 11 
			 E1 24 
			 D 9 
			 C2 3 
			 C1 1 
			 B1 1 
			  49 
		
	
	The number of staff disciplined for fraud, corruption or similar offences is set out in the tables below:
	
		Corruption and Fraud Cases with Disciplinary Outcome 1999–2000—2003–04 -- 3. Business Stream
		
			 Business Stream Corruption and Fraud Cases 
			 Revenue Policy 3 
			 IR Southern England 1 
			 IR London 4 
			 IR Central England 2 
			 IR Northern England 1 
			 IR Scotland 2 
			 IR Northern Ireland 1 
			 IR Wales 2 
			 Tax Credit Office 3 
			 Special Compliance Office 1 
			 Valuation Office 3 
			 Business Services 1 
			 Receivables (RMS) 1 
			  25 
		
	
	
		4. Pay Band
		
			 Pay Band Corruption and Fraud Cases 
			 E2 4 
			 E1 7 
			 D 8 
			 C2 3 
			 C1 2 
			 B2 1 
			  25

Pensions

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 27 May (WA 160), how the pension for survivors of marriage is taken into account in public service pension schemes, and upon what financial basis.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The actuary advising each scheme calculates the cost of the benefits accruing to current employees. These benefits include those payable in respect of prospective survivors following the employees' deaths.
	Various assumptions are made by the actuary including the proportions of employees and former employees who at death will leave a survivor. The rates of contribution disclosed within resource accounts and FRS17 statements for 2003–04 for the public service pension schemes will be based on a rate of return net of prices of 3.5 per cent.

Gypsies and Travellers

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to propose legislation to provide security of tenure for Gypsies and Travellers living on local authority sites, following the ruling on 27 May of the European Court of Human Rights that the United Kingdom's existing legislation failed to protect Gypsies' rights in accordance with the right to respect for private and family life under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Lord Rooker: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently considering the implications of the judgment in the Connors v UK case. We are already looking at the tenure issues associated with Gypsy and Traveller sites as part of our wide-ranging review, which will report to Ministers in the summer.
	If our review concludes that a change in the status of those residing on local authority residential sites is appropriate, then the Law Commission's current tenure review would be an appropriate vehicle to take this forward.

Health Impact Assessments

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which Government departments have required, or currently require, health impact assessments, as advocated by the BSE inquiry report 2000; and in respect of which of their policies.

Lord Warner: The Government response to the BSE inquiry report stated that departments were expected to apply health impact assessments to all new key policies and that the Government had begun developing an integrated tool for screening and rapid assessment. This has now been subsumed within regulatory impact assessment (RIA) which is mandatory. RIA includes analysis of economic, social (including health), environmental and distributional effects of policy proposals. The social and environmental impact assessment elements of the RIA have recently been strengthened and new guidance issued to departments.

Pre-Cancerous Skin Lesions

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What research they have commissioned into the incidence of pre-cancerous skin lesions in England.

Lord Warner: No research has been commissioned in the past three years into the incidence of pre-cancerous skin lesions in England. We have commissioned the National Institute of Clinical Excellence to produce improving outcomes guidance on skin tumours, including melanoma. This guidance is due for publication in April 2005 and is aimed at informing commissioners and providers how to configure their services to provide the best outcomes for patients.
	As skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultra-violet radiation from the sun, a range of measures has been taken to ensure that the public are aware of the simple steps they can take to minimise the risks. The United Kingdom health departments are providing £400,000 funding to Cancer Research UK for the SunSmart Sun awareness campaign. In addition, the Department of Health continues to provide funding for the Meteorological Office ultra-violet index and core funding for the National Radiological Protection Board.

Obesity: Food Labelling

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by the Lord Warner on 5 May (Hansard, cols. 1204–10) on misleading food labelling, what decision the Department of Health has taken with regard to its funding of the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust in pursuit of ministerial commitments urgently to aid and educate the public about obesity.

Lord Warner: The Department of Health has supported the work of the Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust (TOAST) for two years (2001–02 to 2002–03) through the department's Section 64 grant scheme. A large number of applications covering ministerial commitments were received for funding from April 2004 which resulted in intense competition for limited funds. This has resulted in many applications being rejected, including those from TOAST.

Chief Nursing Officer

Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to replace the Chief Nursing Officer for England.

Lord Warner: The post will be filled through fair and open competition by a selection panel chaired by a Civil Service Commissioner. The vacancy will be advertised in the national and professional press.

Orchards

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many grants have been given for the establishment of traditional orchards over the past three years by (a) the Countryside Agency and (b) local authorities.

Lord Whitty: We are not aware of any grants having been given for the establishment of traditional orchards over the last three years by these bodies.

Fallen Stock Disposal Scheme

Lord Willoughby de Broke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of farmers have now signed up to the new fallen stock disposal scheme to be run by the National Fallen Stock Company.

Lord Whitty: Farmers have not yet been asked to sign up to the scheme but will have a chance to do so when it is launched in the autumn.